The Co‑op on the EDGE (COTE) program is reshaping how students experience co‑op by placing them directly inside the world of entrepreneurship. Instead of traditional placements, students collaborate with founders and startup teams, contributing to real, project‑based work while developing hands-on skills in marketing, digital development, venture operations, and community engagement. This interdisciplinary model brings together students from all faculties, creating a cohort where diverse perspectives strengthen learning and spark new ideas.
For Audrey Man, a Mobile Computing student in the Faculty of Applied Science and Technology, COTE offered a structured and inspiring introduction to entrepreneurship. She partnered with Chantal Gray, founder of Winrose Oasis Counselling Services, to develop a Mental Health Resource Hub containing a collection of accessible, culturally affirming tools designed to support children, youth, caregivers, and families. Audrey created age‑appropriate worksheets, caregiver guides, and digital resources focused on anxiety, stress management, emotional regulation, and resilience, along with social media content to help expand the hub’s reach.
Chantal says Audrey’s work made a meaningful contribution to the venture, noting that she “went above and beyond in her deliverables,” creating templates and blog posts that strengthened both client engagement and online visibility. The experience gave Audrey the opportunity to apply her technical and creative skills to a project with real community impact, while also learning how to communicate effectively with different audiences. “By constantly adapting how I presented information, my communication skills grew significantly,” she explains.
Thrive was transformative. It helped me understand that entrepreneurship is not just about building a business, but creating a solution in your given circumstances.
A defining feature of COTE is its layered structure. Students complete learning modules that build knowledge in entrepreneurship, intrapreneurship, ideation, and innovation; attend EDGE events that strengthen community connections; and participate in the Thrive Program, where they receive mentorship to develop their own business venture. Audrey describes Thrive as transformative, saying it helped her understand that entrepreneurship is not just about building a business, but “creating a solution in your given circumstances.” The program gave her space to think creatively, explore new ideas, and develop the confidence to pursue opportunities beyond the classroom.
Reflecting on her experience, Audrey describes COTE as “life‑changing,” noting that it gave her the space to be creative, build business skills, and contribute to a project she genuinely cared about. She leaves the program with strengthened communication abilities, sharper problem‑solving skills, and a deeper entrepreneurial mindset. She believes these tools will not only set her apart in her career but also empower her to pursue new opportunities with confidence and purpose.
Interested in learning more about how to get involved as an entrepreneur or student in the Co-op on the EDGE program? Write to edge.students@sheridancollege.ca. Explore more about Co-op on the EDGE or read another student success story.